Inspecting Generational Homes
firstchoice • January 20, 2023

January 20, 2023

We have been inspecting a lot of what I call, “Generational Homes” of late. A Generational Home is defined in most of the internet searches I conducted, as a home that has housed 2 – 3 generations of the same family.

We had the honor of inspecting a home in Goffstown a month ago that was built in 1854 and is considered one of the oldest homes in Goffstown, New Hampshire. And would you believe it, the same family has owned the home since it was constructed. So that home has been host to the same family for 169 years!

Now, as we are seeing a lot these days, the newer generations don’t want to carry on the tradition. So this house in particular was about to change hands / families for the first time since the home was built.

I’m a nostalgic person, so it broke my heart to hear that, but that didn’t deter us from inspecting the home.

As I mentioned before, it was an honor to inspect the home. You just don’t see the level of craftsmanship in modern homes that you see in the older homes. The architectural details alone were breath-taking to behold.

I spoke to the current homeowners for a few minutes before they left the home for the inspection, and they expressed regret about having to leave the home, but they were both in their 70s, and were just not capable of maintaining the home.

A few years ago, I inspected a home in Hollis, NH that had played host to the same family for over 200 years, and was changing hands for the first time. An older couple bought the home and I did the inspection. After 3 months of living there, the older couple decided that the home was too much upkeep for them, so they promptly sold the home to another couple.

So in the span of 5 months, that 200+ year old home played host to 3 different families.

It is sad to see these types of homes fall into neglect or be passed over simply because of their age.

At First Choice Home Inspection, we have a deep respect for older homes, as well as the knowledge and experience necessary to properly inspect old homes.

Michael McCarty
NH Licensed Home Inspector # 316
Vermont Property Inspector License # 143.0134099
HUD 203k Consultant # P-1939

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